USOO59041 76A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 5,904,176

Li (45) Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
54 SILENT WALVE BALL COCKASSEMBLY 4,416,302 11/1983 Schoepe .................................. 137/315
4,494,562 1/1985 Stephens ... ... 137/436
75 Inventor: Frank Li, Xiamen, China 4,562,859 1/1986 Shames et al. ......................... 137/437
4,703,653 11/1987 Schoepe et al. ........................ 137/429
73 Assignee: WIDI International, Bedford Heights, 4.938,245 7/1990 Schoepe et al. ........................ 137/436
Ohio 5,035,257 7/1991 Autunez .................................. 137/414
5,452,482 9/1995 Nichols-Roy et al. ... 137/441
5,584,080 12/1996 Nicholas-Roy et al..................... 4/415
21 Appl. No.: 08/920,154 5,594.959 1/1997 Nichols-Roy et al. ... 137/441
22 Filed: Aug. 26, 1997 5,603,128 2/1997 Nichols-Roy ............................... 4/325
51 Int. Cl." - F16K 31/18 Primary Examiner-George L. Walton
52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 137/434; 137/414; 137/426; Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howard M. Cohn
137/436; 137/437 57 ABSTRACT
58 Field of Search ..................................... 137/414, 426,
137/436, 437, 432 A float-controlled, ball cock assembly comprises an
improved two-piece valve useful with either a fixed height
56) References Cited or an adjustable height riser. The two-piece valve includes a
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS resilient valve Seal element and a rigid valve cap fitted
together to form an annular chamber therebetween. A rigid
245,172 8/1881 Hurley ...................................... 356/62 Spacer Sleeve is positioned in the chamber to limit the
2,635,622 4/1953 ... 137/218 movement of the valve seal element between the closed
23. y: E. position in contact with a valve Seat and the open position
3,074,684 1/1963 Doyle 137/414 Spaced from the valve Seat. The adjustable height riser
3,429,333 2/1969 Schoepe et al. . 37/44 includes inlet and outlet tubes, each composed of two parts
3,495,803 2/1970 Schoepe et al. . ... 137/414 telescopically engaging one another. Adjustment of the
3,669,138 6/1972 Schoepe et al. . . . 137/414 height of the riser is achieved by the use of one or more
3,916,454 11/1975 Schoepe et al. . 137/432 T-shaped tabs which are secured by a lock collar threaded
4,080,986 3/1978 Schoepe et al. . . . 137/432 onto the outer of the two telescoping outlet tubes and which
4,100,928 7/1978 Schoepe et al. . --- 7. can be moved locking into and out of engagement with
4,108,202 8/1978 Schoepe et al. . radially extending grooves on the outer Surface of the inner
4,182,364 1/1980 Gilbert et al. ... ... 137/426 outlet tube
4,299,428 11/1981. Becker et al. ... ... 137/414
4,327,941 5/1982 Schoepe ....... ... 137/441
4.338,964 7/1982 Schoepe .................................. 137/436 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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U.S. Patent May 18, 1999 Sheet 3 of 6 5,904,176

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92 Fig4
U.S. Patent May 18, 1999 Sheet 4 of 6 5,904,176
U.S. Patent May 18, 1999 Sheet S of 6 5,904,176
U.S. Patent May 18, 1999 Sheet 6 of 6 5,904,176
 5,904,176
1 2
SLENT WALVE BALL COCKASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ball cock construction of the
type used for the control of liquid levels in tanks. More
Specifically, the invention relates to an improved ball cock
assembly for use in the flush tank of a toilet or the like, and
an adjustable riser to use with the ball cock assembly.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A conventional ball cock assembly includes an inlet tube
that allows water under pressure to flow into a flush tank
through a float operated ball cock valve mounted atop the
tube above the normal water level. An outlet tube extends
downward from the valve so that when the float operated
valve is open, water will flow into the outlet tube and then
into the flush tank. The ball cock valve controls the operation
of the ball cock assembly, and must be constructed to
provide reliable operation through thousands of flush cycles.
Therefore, it is desirable to use a ball cock valve which is of
rugged construction, and which is Substantially fail-safe.
Toilet tanks are made in many different sizes and shapes,
and in many different heights. The ball cock assembly is
mounted at a height commenSurate with the height of the
tank. Upon failure of the assembly for any reason, it is
common to obtain a replacement assembly which is properly
sized for the tank, or which can be quickly and Securely
adjusted to different lengths according to the tank size.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,928 describes a valve assembly for a
ball cock Valve including a riser having telescopically
adjustable concentric inlet and outlet tubes. Each of the
concentric tubes is composed of an upper and a lower
member. Adjustment of the tubes is achieved by the use of
a continuous Spiral grooves or a plurality of discrete, Spaced
apart grooves on one member and a plurality of fingers at the
end of the second member, each with radially inwardly
extending projections. The riser includes a lock collar which
Slips over the end of the fingers and when threaded into
place, flexes the fingers inwardly to urge the projections into
the grooves. The deflection of the fingers during assembly or
adjustment of the riser increases the likelihood of breaking
one of the fingers. The height of the riser is adjusted by
unscrewing the lock collar to release the projections from
the groove, and manually telescoping the two tubes to the
required height followed by threading the lock collar over
the fingers to force the projections into engagement with a
corresponding groove.
The ball cock construction typically comprises a valve
Seat disposed between an inlet and a plurality of liquid
outlets Spaced circumferentially around the inlet, a resilient
Valve Seal, a valve cover and a pilot Valve pin extending
through the cover and valve Seal. The typical ball cock
construction can utilize a siphon arrangement to prevent
back flow of water in the event of a total or substantial drop
in the pressure of the incoming water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,202 likewise describes a ball cock
with a vertically adjustable outlet tube. In the manner similar
to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,928, two telescoping
members which comprise the outlet tube of the riser are
provided with grooves, either spiral, or discrete vertically
Spaced on one of the members, and projections on the end
of the other member, adapted to engage the grooves. The
projections are at the end of flexible fingers which are flexed
radially inwardly to engage the grooves, and are held in the
grooves by a threaded lock collar. To make the height
adjustment, the collar must be threaded one way to release
the fingers from the groove, and then threaded the other way
to re-engage the projections with the groove.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,364 likewise describes a vertically
adjustable riser which contains circumferential grooves on
one member and resilient fingers with inward projections to
be locked into one of the grooves. The fingers are at the
upper end of the outer member and have gaps between them
allowing inward deflection. A lock collar is threaded on to
the upper end of the Outer member and as the member is
progressively tightened, deflects the projection into engage
ment with the groove. To adjust the vertical height of the
riser, the collar must be unscrewed to release the deflected
projections from the groove.
15
U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,653 describes a plastic ball cock float
Structure of the general type useful in the present invention.
The float contains a vertical channel adapted to receive the
riser. The float moves up and down on the riser in response
to changes in the water level in the tank, thereby closing and
opening a water inlet valve.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball
25 cock valve assembly as defined in one or more of the
appended claims and, as Such having the capability of being
constructed to accomplish one or more of the following
Subsidiary objects.
One object of the present invention is to provide a novel
two-piece valve assembly for use in a ball cock Valve, the
assembly utilizing a rigid sleeve between the valve cap and
the Seal to limit flexing of the Seal when opening and closing,
thereby reducing flex fatigue and failure of the Seal.
35
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
Valve assembly having enhanced flow control as compared
to prior art devices.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
adjustable riser, capable of being quickly and Simply
40
adjusted, for a ball cock assembly which permits the use of
the assembly in a variety of fill tanks having differing
heights.
These and other objects, which will become evident upon
a full reading of the description, are achieved in the manner
45 to be more fully described by reference to the drawings and
detailed discussion which follows. The present invention
incorporates plural inventive concepts including a unique,
more reliable valve assembly and a novel riser height
adjustment feature.
50 In one aspect of the invention, a two-piece float
controlled valve assembly is described which is useful with
a valve Seat for controlling the liquid level in a tank Such as
a flush tank for a toilet. The valve assembly includes a rigid
Valve cap and a resilient valve Seal element which is adapted
55 to form a water-tight Seal with the valve Seat. An axial hole
extends through the cap and the Seal, and a pilot Valve pin
extends within the axial hole through both of the former
valve assembly members. The valve pin is pivotally joined
to a float by a valve operating lever and a connecting rod.
60 Vertical movement of the float downward as the tank emp
ties Serves to move the valve Seal element out of engagement
with the valve seat to permit liquid to flow into the tank to
restore the liquid level.
The valve Seal element and the valve cap fit together to
65 form a chamber therebetween. The valve cap is generally
circular and dome-shaped, having a convex top Surface and
a concave inner Surface facing the valve Seal. The inner
 5,904,176
3 4
Surface of the valve cap contains a peripheral groove. The
resilient valve Seal element includes first and Second
opposed generally parallel Surfaces, the first Surface facing
the valve cap, and the Second Surface shaped So as to cover
and Seal the valve Seat. The first Surface of the Seal contains
a raised, peripheral edge which engages the peripheral
groove in the cap. The valve cap contains an annular
elastomeric grommet fitted into an annular hole extending
through the cap. The grommet is anchored against move
ment relative to the cap, and contains the Small hole through
which the pilot Valve pin passes. The valve Seal element
contains a groove in its first Surface coaxially aligned with
the grommet. A Substantially rigid cylindrical sleeve is
positioned in the chamber between the valve cap and the
Valve Seal. A first end of the sleeve preferably contains one
or more slots extending axially toward, but terminating short
of the opposite second end. The slotted end of the sleeve fits
into the groove of the valve Seal element and the opposite
Second end fits into the grommet, preferably in a groove
therein. The slots in the sleeve extend between about 40%
and 80% of the distance from the first end to the second end.
The sleeve serves to limit the distance that the resilient seal
moves toward the rigid cap when liquid is evacuated from
the chamber.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
vertically adjustable riser for the ball cock valve assembly is
composed of a pair of telescopically engagible tubular shafts
including an inner shaft having an upper end and lower end,
and an outer Shaft disposed coaxial with the inner Shaft and
likewise having an upper end and a lower end. An annular
lock collar is threaded on to the lower end of the outer shaft,
the collar having an inner diameter Slightly greater than that
of the inner shaft to permit the collar to be slipped over and
moved axially along the inner shaft. The collar contains at
least one, and preferably between two (2) and Six (6) slots
in the inner diameter thereof extending in the axial direction.
The outer Surface of the inner Shaft contains a stop abutment
extending vertically, i.e., in the axial direction of the tube
corresponding to each slot in the collar. A row of discrete
grooves are parallel to one another and are spaced along the
inner Shaft So that one end of the grooves terminates at the
Stop, and the Second end of the grooves terminates at a
location remote from the Stop. The grooves extend in the
radial direction around the tube. Generally, each groove
extends about one-half (%) of the distance from the stop to
the next adjacent Stop. A removable tab is disposed in each
slot in the collar. The tab, upon rotation of the lock collar in
a first direction, engages one of the radially extending
parallel grooves on the inner Shaft to prevent telescoping
movement of the two shafts. When the collar is rotated in the
opposite, Second direction, the tab becomes disengaged from
the groove to permit relative telescoping movement. The tab
preferably is in the shape of a T with the cross bar of the
T-shaped tab having a radius of curvature corresponding to
the radius of the internal threads of the lock collar. The leg
of the T-shaped tab is received into the slot, and contains at
least one projection extending radially inward therefrom to
engage one of the grooves on the inner Shaft. Preferably, the
T-shaped tab contains two (2) or three (3) projections, which
concurrently engage adjacent grooves. The interior of the
collar includes a shoulder where the threaded portion inter
sects the slotted portion. The cross bar of the T-shaped tab
contacts the shoulder and is anchored against the shoulder
by the lower threaded end of the outer shaft when the collar
is threaded on to the outer shaft.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a ball
cock assembly for regulating the level of a liquid in a tank,
in combination with a riser including a vertical inlet tube
having a lower end communicating with a liquid Supply
Source and an upper end terminating in a valve Seat, and an
outlet tube Surrounding, and in axial alignment with the inlet
tube and in fluid communication therewith when the valve
assembly in the ball cock assembly is open. The valve
assembly is in normal contact with the valve Seat to prevent
the flow of liquid through the inlet tube into the outlet tube
when the valve assembly is closed. The valve assembly
includes a rigid valve cap and a resilient valve Seal element
forming a valve chamber therebetween. A valve cover is
Secured to the upper end of the riser and Supports a pilot
Valve pin having a free end extending down through the
valve cover and the valve assembly. A float assembly
comprising a float, a connecting rod and a valve operating
15 lever is operatively connected to the pilot valve pin. The
lowering of the liquid level in the tank causes the float to
move down, which in turn causes the valve pin to reduce the
liquid preSSure in the valve chamber to permit the water
pressure in the inlet tube to lift the valve assembly from the
seat thereby allowing liquid to flow through the valve
assembly from the inlet tube into the outlet tube and then
into the tank.
Further in accordance with the invention, the ball cock
assembly is usable with a fixed height riser, or an adjustable
25 height riser. When used with an adjustable height riser, the
riser includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube concentrically
disposed therearound. The outlet tube comprises outer and
inner tubular shafts telescopically movable with respect on
one another. An annular lock collar is joined to the lower end
of the outer Shaft and has an inner diameter slightly larger
than the diameter of the inner shaft. The collar contains an
axially extending Slot on the inner Surface thereof. The outer
Surface of the inner Shaft contains at least one vertical Stop,
and a row of grooves parallel to one another, evenly Spaced
35 along the inner Shaft, extending radially around the shaft
orthogonal to the Stop. One end of the each groove termi
nates at the Stop and the other end terminates at a location
remote from the Stop. A removable tab is positioned in the
Slot in the collar and engages one of the grooves to prevent
40 relative axial movement between the two shafts. The tab is
Simply and quickly disengaged from the groove simply by
rotating one shaft a fraction of a turn relative to the other
shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
45
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a complete ball cock
assembly in a flush tank of a toilet bowl;
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a ball cock assembly with the
Valve closed;
50 FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a ball cock assembly with the
Valve open;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the valve assembly of FIGS.
2 and 3, partially in cross-section;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing a ball cock assem
55 bly with an adjustable riser, partially in croSS-Section;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7A is an exploded view of a lock collar assembly;
FIG. 7B is a three dimensional view of the lock collar
60 assembly of FIG. 7A, and
FIG. 8 is an elevational view, of the ball cock assembly
with a fixed height riser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
65 INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1 for a typical setting for the
present invention, a silent flush ball cock assembly 10 is
 5,904,176
S 6
shown optionally installed in a conventional toilet water
flush tank 12 having a water Supply line 14 delivering
preSSurized water into the ball cock assembly through a
threaded connection 16 at the bottom of the assembly. The
ball cock assembly 10 is secured and sealed to the flush tank
12 by flange 18, resilient gasket 20 and flanged nut 22. In
typical fashion, water is exhausted from the flush tank 12 by
a separate discharge valve (not shown) in the bottom of the
tank normally operated by a lever or button mounted to the
exterior of the tank.
The ball cock assembly 10 includes a riser 131 generally
including concentric outlet tube 24 and inlet tube 26, as
shown in FIGS. 5-8, and a flow controlling valve mecha
nism 28 disposed at the top of the tubes 24 and 26. A float
30 is vertically movable along the exterior surface of the
outlet tube 24 in response to the changing level of water in
the flush tank 12. The float 30 is operably connected by
connecting rod 32, extending through upper rod guide 35
and lower rod guide 37, to valve operating lever 34. Down
ward movement of the float 30 causes the valve mechanism
28 to open and upward movement of float 30 causes the
valve mechanism 28 to close. The upper and lower rod
guides 35 and 37 reduce the tendency of the float to rotate
about the shaft 24 and to assist in keeping the float 30
aligned with valve operating lever 34. Minor adjustments of
water level in flush tank 12 may be accomplished in the
usual manner by selective adjustment of the float 30 along
the connecting rod 32 using conventional means, Such as
Spring clip 33.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the details of the valve
mechanism or assembly 28 are described. AS previously
mentioned, the vertical inlet tube 26 is concentrically posi
tioned within the outlet tube 24. The upper end 36 of the
inlet tube 26 terminates in a valve seat 40 adjacent the upper
end 38 of the outlet tube 24. The valve mechanism 28 of the
valve cock assembly 10 includes the valve seat 40 formed
about the central water or fluid inlet 42 and a series of
discrete outlets 44 Spaced circumferentially around the inlet.
A resilient valve seal element 46 and a rigid valve cap 48 fit
over the seat 40 and within upper end section 38. A pilot
valve pin 50 is movable towards and away from seat 40 and
has a lower, enlarged end portion 52 extending through a
small aperture 54 in the valve cap 48 and another small
aperture 56 in the resilient valve seal element 46, the free
end portion 52 of the pilot valve pin 50 terminating in the
vicinity of the valve seat 40. The pilot valve pin 50 is
pivotally connected by Valve operating lever 34 and con
necting rod 32 to the float 30, as shown in FIG.1. When the
flush tank 12 is full of water, the pilot valve pin 50 is at its
lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 3, and as the water
level in the tank goes down, the float descends causing the
pin to move up. When the pilot valve pin 50 is down at or
near its lowermost position, a Small amount of water under
pressure is admitted from the water inlet tube 26 into a
chamber 58 between the resilient valve seal element 46 and
the valve cap 48, and forces the seal against the seat 40 to
close off the water inlet 42 and the plurality of outlets 44
thereby preventing water from passing through flow passage
59 between the inner and outer tubes 24 and 26, respectively.
When the pilot valve pin 50 is raised, the water pressure in
the chamber 58 between the valve seal element 46 and the
Valve cap 48 is relieved, thereby permitting the pressurized
inlet water to lift the valve seal element 46 away from the
Valve Seat 40, thus establishing water communication and
flow between the fluid inlet 42 and the outlet openings 44.
The ball cock assembly 10 typically includes an anti
siphon assembly 61, as seen in FIG. 2, which serves to
prevent the back-up of water out of the flush tank 12 into the
water inlet 42 in the event of an excessive loss of water
preSSure through the Supply line 14. If this loSS of water
preSSure occurs, the reverse flow through passage 59 is
vented back into the flush tank 12. For this purpose, the
anti-siphon assembly 61 is located immediately below the
valve seat 40 and above the normal liquid level in the tank.
Anti-siphon assembly includes a flexible boot 62 which is
received in a cup-shaped Section 60 of the upper end Section
38 of outlet tube 24. The outer periphery of the boot 62 is
located between a shoulder 63 of the upper end 36 of the
tube 26 and a groove 65 formed in the upper end section 38.
A plurality of vents 66 around the periphery of the upper end
section 38 permit air to flow into the inlet. The loss of water
15 preSSure in the inlet tube 26 causes a vacuum which draws
the boot 62 into contact with the shoulder 63 to close off the
water outlets 44, preventing the water from returning
through the openings into the inlet flow passage 59 and
instead, drawing air through the vents 66 into the inlet flow
passage 59. Mounted immediately below the boot 62 is a
flexible flow diverter 64 which diverts a portion of the
incoming water through flow passage 59 into outlet 68 to fill
the toilet bowl.
The upper edge of the upper end Section 38 contains a
25 plurality of slots (not shown) around the periphery extending
through the wall of the holder and a plurality of radially
outwardly extending bayonet joint tabs 71.
A rigid valve cap 48 is adapted to be Securely mounted to
the upper end section 38. The valve cap 48 contains radially
outwardly extending bayonet joint tabS 74 corresponding in
number to the inwardly extending tabs 72 (not shown) in the
upper end section 38. The valve assembly 28 is seated within
upper end Section 38, as shown in FIG. 2, and Secured in
place by turning the valve cap 48 relative to the upper end
35 section 38 until each of the bayonet joint tabs 74 on the valve
cap engages an inwardly projecting tab on the end Section.
A pair of vertical wings 76 on the top of the valve cap 48
permit manual turning of the cap for ready assembly and
disassembly with the valve assembly 28.
40 The inner Surface of the generally dome-shaped valve cap
48, as shown in FIG. 4, includes a downwardly facing
peripheral groove 78, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 80 to
provide Strength and rigidity to the cap, and an annular hole
82 extending therethrough. A resilient grommet 84 is press
45 fitted in the hole 82 and is held in place against expulsion
from the underside of the cap by the pressure of the water in
the chamber 58, as shown in FIG. 2. The grommet 84
contains an annular groove 88 into which one end of rigid,
cylindrical hollow sleeve 90 is received. The axial height of
50 the sleeve 90, when the chamber 58 is filled with water under
pressure is slightly less than the height of the chamber. When
the flush tank 12 is filled to the desired liquid level, the
float-controlled pilot valve pin 50 is in the lowered position
in the valve assembly. As the liquid is exhausted from the
55 flush tank 12, the float 30 is lowered causing the pilot valve
pin 50 to raise. The water pressure in the inlet 42 causes the
resilient valve seal element 46 to move toward the valve cap
48. Movement of the valve seal element 46 is limited when
the seal bottoms out against the first end 91 of the sleeve
60 90. This limitation on the range of movement of the valve
Seal element 46 acts to prevent undue flexing and mechani
cal failure of the Seal.
The resilient valve seal element 46, as shown in FIG. 4,
is generally in the shape of a disc having a bottom Surface
65 92 which is contoured to conform to the valve seat 40 and
a top Surface 94 having a peripheral lip 96 which engages
and fits in peripheral groove 78 of the valve cap 48. An
 5,904,176
7 8
annular groove 98 radially inwardly of the lip 96 receives the
second end 93 of the cylindrical sleeve 90. The second end
93 of the sleeve 90 received in groove 98 contains at least
one (1) and preferably two (2) to four (4) axially extending
slots 100 to provide the end 93 of the sleeve 90 with some
resiliency and to permit the inner surface 95 of sleeve 90 to
Slidingly engage the upstanding portion 97 of the valve Seal
element 46. It has been found that the requisite degree of
deflection of the sleeve 90 is achieved when the slots 100
extend between about 40% and about 80% of the axial
length of the sleeve. While the sleeve 90 is shown as a
hollow right cylinder, it can be formed with other cross
Section as desired.
A retainer cover 110 is secured to the upper end section 38
by a plurality of bayonet joint tabs 112 engaging correspond
ing bayonet joint tabS 71 on the outer periphery of the upper
end section 38. The retainer cover 110 includes a resilient
gasket 113 to provide a Seal between the cover and the upper
end section 38. Relative rotation between the retainer cover
110 and the upper end section 38 is prevented by one or more
lock tabs 114 extending through a slot in the retainer cover
into a Space between adjacent bayonet joint tabS 71. One or
both sets of bayonet joint tabs 71 and 74 can be tapered to
facilitate initial assembly of retainer cover 110 to the end
Section 38 to assure a tight wedge fit.
On the upper surface of the retainer cover 110 is a buttress
116 including a pair of upwardly extending walls 118a, 118b
Spaced from one another to receive one end 122 of valve
operating lever 34 pivotally held therebetween by pivot pin
120. As previously noted, the other end 124 of the valve
operating lever 34 is joined by connecting rod 32 to the float
30.
Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 7A, details of the
adjustable features of the riser 131 of the invention are
described. AS previously mentioned, the riser generally
comprises an inlet tube 26, and an outlet tube 24 circum
ferentially surrounding the inlet tube. The outlet tube 24
consists of a lower tubular shaft portion 24a telescopically
received into an upper outer tubular shaft portion 24b. The
bottom of the upper Outer Shaft portion 24b contains external
threads 130 to receive an annular lock collar 132. The
internal threads 134 on the annular lock collar 132 cooperate
with the external threads 130 of the upper outer shaft portion
24b and extend about one-half of the axial distance of the
collar. A circumferentially extending shoulder 136 is formed
on the inside Surface of the annular lock collar 132 between
the internal threads 134 and the portion 138 of the collar
which has a smaller diameter than the internal threads. The
reduced inner diameter of the inner Surface 139 of the
annular lock collar 132 is slightly larger than the outer
diameter of the lower inner shaft 24a thereby permitting the
lower shaft to slide within the upper shaft when the collar is
threaded into place. The annular lock collar 132 includes at
least one, and preferably between two (2) and Six (6) Spaced
slots 140 located on the inside of the collar and extending
inward the radial direction with respect to the shafts.
The lower inner shaft 24a terminates at its lower end with
a flange 18, gasket 20 and external threads 16 to mount the
flush tank 12 as previously described. A plurality of refill
outlet ports 142 are located immediately above the flange 18,
with water being discharged from the outlet tube 24 through
the outlet ports to refill the flush tank 12. The upper end of
the lower inner Shaft 24a contains one or more external
circumferential grooves 144 in which o-rings 146 are
inserted to form a fluid-tight slip joint with the interior
surface of the upper outer shaft 24b.
The adjustment feature, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A,
further comprises at least one and preferably between two
(2) and six (6) vertical stops 148 evenly spaced around the
exterior of the lower inner shaft 24a. The stops 148
preferably, but not necessarily extend from the water outlet
ports 142 at the bottom of the lower inner shaft 24a to the
circumferentially extending grooves 144 and O-ringS 146 at
the top of the shaft. A row of grooves 152 is associated with
each vertical stop 148. The grooves 152 are parallel to one
another and disposed orthogonally to the vertical Stops 148.
The grooves 152 are of equal length and extend radially
around the lower inner shaft 24a. One end 152a of the
grooves 152 in each row abuts against the Stop, and the
second end 152b terminates remote from the stop. If more
than one stop is used, the remote end 152b of the groove
extends about one-half of the distance between the stop 148
15 and the next adjacent Stop. Each row of grooves 152 extends
in the same direction, that is either clockwise or counter
clockwise from its associated Stop toward the next Stop.
A removable tab 154 engages each slot 140 in the annular
lock collar 132. The number of slots 140 corresponds with
the number of stops 148 and rows of grooves 152 on the
lower inner shaft 24a. Each tab 154, when disposed in a slot
140, engages one of the grooves 152 upon rotation of the
annular lock collar 132 in one direction and disengages the
groove 152 when the collar is rotated in the opposite
25 direction. When the tab 164 is disengaged from the groove
152, the upper and lower shaft portions 24a and 24b can be
telescopically extended or Shortened as needed. The number
of adjustment positions is determined by the Spacing
between adjacent grooves 152. When the requisite height is
determined, rotation of the annular lock collar 132 in the
reverse direction forces the tab 154 into the groove 152,
thereby preventing further telescopic movement.
Preferably, the removable adjustment tab 154 is generally
T-shaped with a cross bar 156 and a leg 158. The cross bar
35 156 is curved to correspond to the circumference of the
threads 134 on the interior of the annular lock collar 132.
The leg 158 contains at least one (1) and preferably two (2)
or three (3) projections 160 which extend radially inwardly
therefrom when the tab 154 is positioned in the slot 140, to
40 Simultaneously engage one or more grooves 152. When the
tab 154 is positioned in the slot 140, the cross bar 156 abuts
the internal shoulder 136 of the annular lock collar 132. As
the annular lock collar 132 is threaded onto the threaded end
130 of the outer shaft 24b, and is tightened, the crossbar 156
45 is gripped between the shoulder 136 and the bottom of the
inner shaft 24b.
The water inlet tube likewise comprises a two-piece
assembly composed of a lower outer shaft 26a and an upper
inner shaft 26b. The outer shaft 26a is typically secured to
50 the bottom of the inner shaft 26b beneath the refill outlet
ports 142, as shown in FIG. 5. The inner shaft 26b of the
inlet tube contains two exterior circular grooves 162, each
groove containing an O-ring 163 to form a water-tight Slip
joint between the two telescoping components 26a, 26b of
55 the inlet tube 26. The upper end of the inlet tube 26
terminates in the valve Seat as previously described. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the lower inner shaft 24a
contains four (4) vertical stops 148, each with a row of
parallel grooves 152 extending from the Stop through an arc
60 of about 45°. The annular lock collar 132 contains four (4)
slots to receive four (4) T-shaped tabs 154. Each tab 154
includes three (3) projections 160 to simultaneously engage
three (3) adjacent grooves 152 in each row.
The ball cock assembly 10 is assembled by slipping the
65 annular lock collar 132 onto the lower inner shaft 24a of the
outlet tube 24 with the threaded portion 134 of the collar
facing the valve seat 40 and the slotted portions 140 of the
 5,904,176
9 10
collar facing the bottom of the outlet tube 24. Each of the
tabs 154 is then slipped into the confined space defined by
the slots 140 and the wall of the lower inner shaft 24a, with
the leg 158 of the T-shaped tab engaging the slot 140 and the
projections 160 facing radially inward. The tabs 154 are
inserted when the annular lock collar 132 is rotated so that
each slot 140 is aligned in the space between one row of
grooves 152 and the next adjacent vertical stop 148. When
the tabs 154 are in the slots 140, relative rotation between the
annular lock collar 132 and the lower inner shaft 24a is
limited to an arc of about 45 or less. Obviously, the size of
the arc depends on the number of Stops located around the
outside of the lower inner shaft 24a.
FIG. 8 shows the present invention useful in a ball cock
assembly associated with a fixed height riser. The features,
absent the adjustability feature, are as described herein
above. The riser comprises a water inlet tube (not shown)
disposed within a water outlet tube 24' surrounding the inlet
tube. A flange 18", gasket 20' and flanged nut 22 threaded
onto the bottom of the riser, secure the assembly to the
bottom of a flush tank 12. Throughout the specification,
primed numbers represent Structural elements which are
Substantially identical to Structure elements represented by
the same unprimed number. The features and operation of
the float controlled ball cock valve assembly are the same as
that previously described in connection with FIGS. 2-4.
It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance
with this invention a ball cock assembly for use with a flush
tank that Satisfies that objects, means and advantages Set
forth herein before. According to the invention, a float
controlled ball cock assembly incorporates a two-piece
valve assembly to reduce flex fatigue and failure of the valve
seal element and to enhance the flow control of the ball cock
assembly. Also according to the invention, a novel adjust
able riser or a rigid riser can be used in combination with the
improved ball cock assembly.
While the invention has been described in combination
with embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent
to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings.
Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all Such
alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the
Spirit and Scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A valve assembly for controlling the liquid level in a
flush tank of a toilet, Said valve assembly comprising:
an inlet tube having a lower end communicating with a
liquid Supply Source and an upper end terminating in a
Valve Seat;
an outlet tube Surrounding, and in axial alignment with the
inlet tube and in fluid communication therewith with
the valve assembly is open;
a rigid valve cap disposed on one side of the valve Seat;
a resilient valve Seal element disposed between the valve
Seat and the valve cap;
a pressure chamber formed between the valve cap and the
Valve Seal element;
a pilot Valve pin extending through a first opening in the
Valve Seal element and a Second opening in the valve
cap and Selectively controlling liquid preSSure in the
preSSure chamber to cause the valve Seal element
1O alternately to be
forced into Sealing engagement with the valve Seat when
the liquid in the tank is above a predetermined level,
and
moved out of Sealing engagement with the valve Seat, in
15
a direction of the valve cap,
when the liquid in the tank is below the predetermined
level; and
a rigid, cylindrical hollow Sleeve disposed in the pressure
chamber about the valve pin and having an axial height
which is slightly less than the height of the preSSure
chamber so as to limit movement of the valve seal
element in the direction of the valve cap for selectively
controlling liquid pressure in the pressure chamber to
25 move the valve Seal element between an opened and a
closed position.
2. The valve assembly, according to claim 1, wherein:
the valve cap includes a grommet Securely mounted in the
Second opening through the valve cap;
the valve Seal element having first and Second opposed
generally parallel Surfaces, the first Surface facing an
inner Surface of the cap and having a raised peripheral
edge to engage a groove formed about the periphery of
the inner Surface of the cap and having a groove
35 coaxially aligned with the grommet to receive the
Second end of the sleeve, and the Second Surface of the
Seal adapted for Sealing engagement with the valve
Seat.
3. The valve assembly, according to claim 2, wherein the
40
sleeve is a rigid annular sleeve in the shape of a hollow
cylinder and has a plurality of Slots Spaced around the
periphery of the sleeve and extending from a Second end of
the sleeve in an axial direction toward the first end of the
sleeve.
45
4. The valve assembly, according to claim3, wherein each
of the plurality of slots extends axially between about 40%
and about 80% of the distance from the Second end of the
sleeve toward the first end of the sleeve.
5. The valve assembly, according to claim 3, wherein the
50 Second end of the sleeve is received in the groove in the
valve seal element and the first end of the sleeve is received
into an annular groove in the grommet.
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